WCT's holiday show packs lots of charm

There are many delightful ways to enjoy Christmas. Food, family, even shopping can be enjoyable under the right circumstances.

But for most of us, it wouldn't be the holiday season without those wonderful once-a-year sounds and stories.

If you're short on time this time of year, you can pack all those familiar stories and songs into a couple hours at Waukesha Civic Theatre's "Candy Cane Tales and Holiday Carols."

The show, created by WCT's Managing Artistic Director John Cramer, is in its third year and continues to be full of fun and fancy.

This year's show was tighter than in years past … everyone was on their mark and ready to go with confident dance steps and smiles that spread to the last row at the dress rehearsal.

"Happy Holidays" and "It's the Holiday Season" opened the show nicely with bounce and enthusiasm. A.J. Simon's set of decorated trees on stylized presents and a huge lit garland above and on the side of the stage gave the performers, dressed in black and white (more colorful costumes appeared in the second half), a festive environment. A large screen on the back of the stage displayed scenes and pages of sheet music for each of the numbers.

The show included songs of the season, with introductions containing lots of interesting information - such as "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus" is the most reprinted editorial in the English language - and snippets of familiar seasonal shows such as "It's a Wonderful Life."

The highlight of the show, however, was the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," which just seems to get better every year. Tom Koth again took on one of the season's nastiest villains (there are several in the show) and was a real hit. Jon Jones confronted the Grinch with the holiday song with the most odious lyrics ("toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce"?) in a really fun piece.

The show missed some of the really exceptional soloists from last year's show, but made up for it with some nice ensemble numbers. Alexa Farrell, Kellie Kuehl and Esther O'Brien danced and sang a very cool "Rockin' Around the Christmas tree," while Jessica Suprenant led a jazzy "A Perfect Christmas Night" with Jessica Hancock, Esther O'Brien and Erin Wilson-Xayaosa. Suprenant came back with other ensemble members to lead a spirited version of "Carol of the Bells."

A good addition to this year's show - and adding some cultural variety - was the Merry Christmas from Hawaii segment, featuring a graceful hula to "Mele Kalikimaka" with guitar and mandolin accompaniment."

Another new number featured Tyler Johnson as Charlie Brown and Macy Sarder as Lucy in Charlie Brown Christmas, in which Lucy plays the sidewalk "shrink," complete with a sign of her rate of 5 cents.

Katie Homar was really fun to watch as the ditsy Professor Hinkle - a part Paul Burkard handled so well in the past - and was equally effective as Alice Cratchit and Mrs. Santa Claus.

Bret Neumann's quick delivery worked well as the head elf in We Are Santa's Elves, but not as Bob Cratchit in the "A Christmas Carol" portion.

While the Grinch tried to steal Christmas in his portion of the show, the children really did steal the show. The purity of sound that can only come from youthful voices made "Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas" ring true. The children's voices were also lovely in "Silent Night" and the sign language in the final verse was well-delivered.

Besides the very merry stage decorations, the entire theater was dressed to the nines for the holidays, including the lobby and restrooms (although I can't speak for the men's). Even the water cooler niche had some sparkle.

So if you have time for only one show this year, make it a festive, merry event. It doesn't get more festive and merry than this!

IF YOU GO

Who: Waukesha Civic Theatre

What: "Candy Cane Tales and Holiday Carols"

When: Through Dec. 18

Where: 264 W. Main St., Waukesha

Tickets: (262) 547-0708

Information: www.waukeshacivic theatre.org